How to Remove Address Bar From Windows Explorer Group Policy

Jason ArtmanUpdated July 19, 2017

On a business network, administrators may want to disable certain elements of Windows for the users on the network. For example, a network administrator might want to disable the ability to navigate freely in Windows Explorer by removing the address bar from the top of the screen.This can help prevent users from accessing important resources, such as servers. Remove the address bar in Windows Explorer using a group policy setting.

Launch a Windows Explorer window. This can be done by clicking the "Start" button, then clicking "My Computer."

Click the "View" menu at the top of the window, then click "Toolbars" and "Address Bar." The address bar is removed from the top of the window.

Press the Windows logo and "R" keys simultaneously, then type "gpedit.msc" in the dialogue box that appears. Press "Enter" to launch the group policy editor.

Double-click "Disable customising browser toolbars" on the right side of the screen.

Click the "Enabled" radio button, then click "OK" and close the group policy editor.

Re-open Windows Explorer. Click the "View" menu, then hover the mouse over "Toolbars." The "Address Bar" option is grey and no longer selectable.

Warning

The group policy described in this article also removes the ability to enable or disable the address bar in Internet Explorer. Configure the Internet Explorer address bar the way you like it before activating the group policy.

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About the Author

Jason Artman has been a technical writer since entering the field in 1999 while attending Michigan State University. Artman has published numerous articles for various websites, covering a diverse array of computer-related topics including hardware, software, games and gadgets.